Romanian minister announces Mintia gas-powered energy facility is scheduled to become operational in 2026.
Romania's Mintia Gas-Fired Power Plant to Start Operations in 2025, Reach Full Capacity by 2026
The Mintia power plant, with an eventual capacity of 1.7 GW, is set to commence operations in phases, with one or two units expected to become operational by the end of 2025. This forms part of Romania's broader plan to add 2.5 GW of new energy capacity this year.
Romanian Minister of Energy, Sebastian Burduja, confirmed the schedule in a Facebook post, stating that a significant generator, weighing nearly 800 tons, has been delivered to the site. Burduja also highlighted the power plant's potential as the largest natural gas unit in the European Union, with an ambition to operate 1,000 MW by the end of this year.
Mass Global Energy Rom, an Arab-owned investor that took over the ailing coal-fired Mintia plant, has pledged to put a production capacity of 860 MW into operation starting January 1, 2026. This capacity will later be expanded to 1,700 MW. The estimated construction cost is EUR 1.2 billion, with additional maintenance and upkeep work valued at EUR 270 million over the plant's 30-year lifespan.
The power plant's full commissioning is scheduled for next year, with further installation of gas-fired units and new renewable capacities planned through government partnerships. While the European Union context is only implicit through Romania's commitment to energy security and decarbonization goals, the plant is mainly being developed for domestic needs, with future gas processing playing a key role in national economic strategies.
iulian@our website(Photo source: Facebook/Sebastian Burduja)
Although the Mintia Power Plant is primarily designed for domestic energy needs, the government is planning to install more gas-fired units and renewable capacities as part of broader partnerships, addressing Romania's decarbonization goals within the European Union. The finance for this project is estimated at a total of EUR 1.47 billion, marking a notable investment in the traditional energy sector, as the renewable energy industry continues to evolve and expand.
